Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick says he’s confident star forward Jack Riewoldt can overcome an ankle injury to play in Saturday’s round-12 clash with Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium.
Riewoldt, who has kicked 32 goals this season to trail only Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin (38) in the Coleman Medal standings, rolled his ankle during last week’s loss to Fremantle but played out the game with heavy strapping.
Earlier this week, the Tigers described the 2010 All-Australian as a 50-50 chance, but Hardwick said on Thursday he was almost certain Riewoldt would be fit.
“We’re very, very confident he’ll play, which is a great credit to Jack and the work he’s put in to get himself available for this game,” Hardwick told reporters.
“It’s been a great lesson for our younger players – how much you put into it.
“He’s been sleeping about three hours on and off and icing it every three hours.”
The 11th-placed Tigers (5-6) will be desperate to regain some winning momentum to help them stay in touch with the top eight ahead of next week’s bye.
Hardwick says although the Giants have a 1-9 record in their debut season, he has been impressed with their tough playing style under head coach Kevin Sheedy and assistant Mark Williams, who were his coaches during his playing career at Essendon and Port Adelaide.